Scotland carried too much class for the hapless Romanians in a 48-6 win at Murrayfield.

David Kelso reports that injury to Scotland captain Jason White marred the win.

White looks set to miss the season because of a knee injury.

Kelso writes that a piece of history was made when giant lock Jim Hamilton came off the bench in the second half to become the nation’s 1,000th Test player.

The tussle also had extra spice for both sides because they have been pitched into the same group in next year’s World Cup.

Not only that, but that crucial encounter will also be staged at Murrayfield, which is being used as a satellite venue by the French organisers for the 2007 tournament.

Scotland made a good start with a surge by full-back Hugo Southwell. He was tap-tackled and the early momentum was lost when Phil Godman was guilty of failing to release the ball in the tackle.

The positive attitude of the Scots shone through as they opted to send a penalty to touch instead of going for goal.

Scotland continued to enjoy territorial dominance, however a
spate of penalties prevented them from turning pressure into
instant points.

Then in the 15th minute came Beattie’s dream moment.

White did the initial damage by bursting through the fringe markers – and Beattie was perfectly positioned on his shoulder to crash through two challenges to reach the line. Godman confidently added the simple conversion.

Scotland a matter of seconds to snatch back the initiative, Southwell gathering his own lob before sliding over the line from five metres out.

Godman was wide and short with the angled kick, but made amends with a penalty from close range after a front-row offence.

Having established a useful cushion, Scotland were pinned back for a 10-minute spell. But they regained control in the build-up to the break with another touchdown by Southwell.

Mikey Blair, Kelly Brown and Beattie combined forces to stretch the Romanian defence, giving Southwell the easy task of flopping over in the corner.

Scotland stepped up the pace after the restart, but a combination of carelessness and stout defence kept them out.

However, Dewey had the home fans on their feet when he bullocked his way through at least three markers en route to the target. Godman converted.

Vlaicu slotted Romania’s second penalty during a rare slice of action at the other end.

The wholesale substitutions didn’t affect the potency of the Scots and next to break through was Godman in the wake of fine work by Beattie. Godman dusted himself down to add the goal.

And hooker Dougie Hall quickly got in on the act to take the home try tally to six, with Godman again on target. He took his conversion account to five when replacement scrum-half Chris Cusiter went over.